Cycloplane



1941- P. T. TOMASINI 2,254,030

CYCLOPLANE Filed Jan. 18, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet l 'INVENTOR. PETER YUM TUMAEINI ATTORNEY Nov. 25, 1941. P. T. TOMASINI CYCLOPLANE Filed Jan. 18, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. PETER TUM TUMAEINI ATTORNEY 1941- P. T. TOMASINI 7 2 ,0

CYCLOPLANE \INVENTORN PETER'TUM TUMAEINI wwma. wm.

ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 25, 1941 units sr'r CYCLOPLANE Peter Tom Tomasini, New York, N. Y., assignor of one-half to Emily Saroka Tomasini, New York,

Application January 18, 1941, Serial No. 374,993

2 Claims.

This invention relates to cycloplanes and more particularly to such as are of a semi-aerial character, operative under self-contained power.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a cycloplane of unusually interesting characteristics for young people, and having a definite educational value.

A further feature is in the provision of a cycloplane easy and safe to operate, the device being readily portable, and capable of being collapsed into small compass.

Another purpose is to produce a device usable as a commercial vehicle for messenger transportation and like services, inexpensive to manufacture, and capable of long continued service.

These and other similar aims are accomplished by the novel and practical construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, constituting a graphical component of this disclosure, and in which Figure 1 is a general front elevational view of a complete embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the cycloplane.

Figure 3 is a rear elevational view of the same.

Figure 4 is a similar, but fragmentary, view showing twin rear wheels.

Figure 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view looking on line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a partial side elevational, partial longitudinal sectional view of the cycloplane.

Figure '7 is a side elevational view thereof.

Figure 8 is a front elevational view of the same.

Referring in further detail to the drawings, the numeral l5 designates a heavy, substantial base, to rest on any level surface, the base having an upright central spindle l6 on which is mounted an antifriction bearing I! so that its casing I8 is free to rotate in either direction.

Fixed on the upper side of the casing is the flanged foot IQ of a spring bar 20, its length being in accordance with the weight and size of the cycloplane which initially touches the surface on which the base is placed.

The opposite, free end of the spring bar is shaped to produce a loop 2i suited to engage an eye 22 set in the top of a cycloplane 23, at approximately its center of gravity, so that the car hangs substantially level therefrom.

The cycloplane, generaly in the form of a conventional aeroplane, motorcycle, and automobile combined, consists of a substantial frame 25 extending lengthwise of the structure, having at in a casing 26 supported from the under side of the frame. a

The motor shaft 29 has at its front end, a spur gear 30 meshed with a mating gear 3|,of reduced diameter, fixed on therear end of a propeller shaft 32, housed in bearings 33 formed with the frame, and on which is secured the hub -of a two bladed propeller 35, thebearing terminating in a reflector 36, containing an electric lamp 3'! served by wires passing through a tube 38 leading from a battery 39. A rear light 21 is also connected with the current from the battery 39.

A hood or cowling 40, of semi-oval cross section, open at the rear and converging at the front to a point adjacent the propeller hub, is provided with transparently covered openings 4! similarly, below the frame is a skirt 42, enclosing the gear train and shafting, its rear end connecting with the casing or motor housing 26.

Mounted on the frame 25, rearward and above the housing, is a spring supported seat 43 provided with a back 44 for the comfort of an operator.

Rearward of the frame is a vertical rudder 45 while at its sides are horizontal rudders 46, actuated by a rod 41, connected to the steering post ring 52'.

The frame is supported at the front by a single dirigible wheel 48 rotatable on a spindle 49 carried in a housing 56 and supported by a thrust block 5| fixed on the skirt 42.

The housing 50, for the front wheel 48, is controlled by the steering post 52 passing through the block 5| and a bearing 53, fixed 0n the casing 26. This post is angularly inclined rearwardly through its entire length and supplied at its upper end with a steering wheel 54, accessible from the seat 43 the steering post 52 is formed with an open recess or ring 52', through which the shaft 30 passes, and which permits turning the front wheel at an angle, as when turning corners.

A rear driving wheel 55 is fixed on a shaft 56 mounted in a housing 51 fixed on the rear portion of the frame 25 and rotatably driven by v connections 53 with the motor in the casing 26.

its rear portion a spring driven motor enclosed Should it be preferred, a pair of wheels 55a and 5% may be used at the rear, as shown in Figure 4, having a common shaft 60 on which they are fixed in spaced relation, provided with separate housings 51a and 51b, and driven by universal gear connections within the housing 6 I, from the motor within the casing 26.

Wings 62, of the usual type, project from each side of the structure whereby it is partially or wholly supported in the air when in operation.

Means are provided to connect the motor with the propeller, or with the rear driving wheel, or with both these advancing devices at will; also for steering the structure by its rudders when the wheels are ofi the surface.

In operation, the motor being energized, the car attached to the free end of the spring bar 20 by its loop 22, and the motor clutch set to actuate the propeller, the wheels now being out ,of contact with the ground surface or resting on the surface, as may occur.

The propeller, upon attaining. speed, causesthe car to rise and move in a circularpath around the axis of the base spindle, and, due to such rotary motion, the car is caused to raise and lower in graceful fluctuations.

When the car is detached from the spring bar and deposited on a level surface, either the propeller maybe used for advance movement, or

the twin drive wheels, steering being accomplished by suitable ,setting of the rudders, or

wheel.

Although the foregoing is descriptive of the best knownembodiment-of the invention, it is to be consideredassuggestive, rather than restrictive, the scope of the invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination with a vehicle having a body, a motor mounted therein, a propeller at the front of said body driven by said motor, a rear wheel having driving connections with said motor, a vertical rudder, and a dirigible wheel in advance of said motor, a steering column for said dirigible wheel, said column having an opening through which the driving connections for saidpropeller pass, and an actuating rod for said rudder connected to the wall of the opening in said steering column.

In combination with a vehicle having a body, a motor contained therein, a shaft extending forwardly from said motor, a propeller actuated by said shaft, a vertical rudder rearward of the motor, a pair of drive wheels actuated by said motor and a dirigible wheel, a steering-column for said di-rigible wheeLa ringset in the length-of said steering column through which thepropellershaft-rotates, and pivotal connections between --saidring and said rudder, whereby it is actuated unison with said di-rigible wheel;

PETER TOM TOMASINI. 

